Aston Villa secure Champions League spot in win over Liverpool
Two months ago, Ollie Watkins was experiencing a difficult period. Out of form, struggling to score, and omitted from Thomas Tuchel's England squad for the March international break, his prospects of representing the Three Lions at this summer's World Cup appeared uncertain.
However, with the tournament in North America just a month away, Watkins has regained his form, making it challenging for Tuchel to exclude him from the World Cup squad. His recent performance, scoring twice in Aston Villa's 4-2 victory over Liverpool which secured their place in next season's Champions League, positions him as the most in-form English striker currently, even ahead of Harry Kane.
"I wish he was Scottish!" said Villa captain John McGinn.
"He was obviously disappointed in March but if it gave him a kick up the backside and he's certainly responded in the best way.
"We're so fortunate to have him, what he's done for this club the past few seasons has been incredible. I think he may have just snuck his way onto that plane."
Watkins has 'fire in the belly'
Watkins has netted 12 Premier League goals this season, which is not his highest tally in a Villa shirt, but notably, nine of those goals have come since his exclusion from the March England squad. Across all competitions, he has scored 11 goals in this period, surpassing Harry Kane’s 10, with his form also contributing to Villa's progression to the Europa League final.
His omission from the England squad appears to have ignited a determination in Watkins that might not have been as strong had he been selected.
"I had a slow start to the season, picking up a few niggles on international duty and then being left out of the England squad," he said.
"I think it gave me that fire in my belly to come back and prove to people what I can do. A lot of people had written me off this season and I use that as motivation to show them that I can be back to my best - scoring and helping the team."
During the match against Liverpool, Watkins was often unplayable, exploiting their high defensive line and consistently finding space to run behind. Although disappointed not to add to his two goals after having one disallowed for offside, his persistent movement into scoring positions caused Liverpool difficulties.
The pinnacle for Watkins would be to replicate such a performance against Freiburg in Istanbul on Wednesday, where Villa aims to win their first major trophy in 30 years.
'Relentless' Watkins has 'got to be on the plane'
Since the last international break, no player has scored more Premier League goals than Watkins’ nine. Manchester City's Erling Haaland ranks second with seven, while Nottingham Forest's Morgan Gibbs-White is the next highest-scoring English player with five.
While Watkins may arguably be England's most in-form striker ahead of the World Cup, realistically, the main competition is for the number one backup role to captain Harry Kane.
Ivan Toney has been prolific for Al-Ahli this season, but playing in the Saudi Pro League makes direct comparisons difficult. Among other contenders, Watkins’ 19 goals in all competitions place him five ahead of both Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who returned to the England squad after a five-year absence in March, and Danny Welbeck, whose last cap was in 2018.
"He's got to be on the plane," former Villa midfielder Lee Hendrie said on Sky Sports when asked about Watkins' chances of inclusion this summer. "Since being left out we've just seen a massive turning of the corner.
"He's been relentless in front of goal, he's shown his capabilities. He's a totally different player to Harry Kane and gives them something different."
Unai Emery post-match interview - Aston Villa 4-2 Liverpool
Villa's big week starts on a high
After a slow start to the season, where it took six matches for Villa to register their first Premier League win, their campaign could conclude in spectacular fashion. The victory over Liverpool not only secured their place in next year's Champions League but also sends them to Istanbul for the Europa League final on a high note.
Villa have not won a major trophy since the EFL Cup in 1996, and their sole major European trophy remains the 1982 European Cup.
"To achieve it [Champions League] is amazing. We can now 100% focus on the final," said Emery.
"We said at the start of the season that we wanted to be in Europe, to be in the Champions League.
"To compete in both competitions and being consistent is not easy, we had fantastic season in the Premier League. I am so proud."
McGinn said Villa were "slight favourites" for next week's final, but that they needed to "stay focused".
"It's what you dream of when you're young," he added. "You've got to enjoy it."
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